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Your Body Is a Template Chapter 11: A Breath of Life
“Do any of you know CPR?” I asked in desperation as she remained motionless, lying on her back, still not breathing.
“What the hell is CPR?” One of them asked, looking both horrified at Yugito lying on the ground unmoving and confused at my question.
His response told me how, despite having some amenities like electricity, they didn’t know things like CPR.
“Oh for fucks sake!” I said in exasperation, throwing my arms in the air, getting more angry and annoyed at being put into this position because the dumb women decided to just not give me my money.
I swear if I save her here and she doesn’t give me what I am owed, I am going to Stewie Griffin her ass if it’s the last thing I do, consequences be damned.
Paying those around me no mind, I get on top of her and start pressing into her chest, ignoring the feeling of her breasts pushing or pressing against my hands while counting down, “One, two, three-”
Her friends all crowded around and protested my actions, questioning what I was doing, but they were ignored. Stopping for a brief moment, breathing into her mouth before I was grabbed by a pair of rough hands grabbing the collar of my robe, pulling me up, and bringing me face-to-face with the scarred face of one of the spectators.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?!” He growled into my face.
“Trying to save her life. It has a chance to get her to breathe. Is one of you a trained medic?” I countered. My tone was serious, knowing how bad this was.
The man just stood there, his face getting angrier with murder creeping into his eyes. My hands grabbed his wrists, and he looked ready to stop me from getting him to let go. “If you want her to die, then keep me held here. If you want her to live, you will let me go.”
We stared one another down for a tense moment as I began to wonder if I would have to take them all down just to save her before he let out a sigh. His grip lessened before he let me go. Not paying attention to him giving me the go-ahead as several of the shinobi watched me do CPR, hoping to save Yugito.
Getting up to thirty and giving her the first two rescue breaths after getting her mouth open and breathing into her.
“Are we seriously allowing this? I thought even ronin had standards…” One of them said in the back as the others nodded and verbally agreed with the man.
“Come on, dammit!” Doing the next thirty compressions, growing desperate and placing my mouth over hers and breathing in, and the next thing I know, she is coughing as I get a face full of spit and other things I don’t even want to know.
It feels like wet hair…
“Yugito!” Everyone said in relief while I slid off of her with my eyes closed. I shuddered and tried to find something to wipe my face off with.
Taking my sleeve, I quickly cleaned myself with it while everyone crowded around Yugito, who finally got her coughing under control.
“What happened?” She managed to rasp out.
“You went all out against Kojirou over there, and he managed to knock you out, but you weren’t breathing. He managed to save you.” One of the female shinobi told her. Yugito looked over at me, wiping the last of what shall not be named off of my face.
Dropping my arm and slicing the part of it off with that gunk on it and unceremoniously letting it drop to the ground and getting up, wiping the dirt off. With a click my sword was put away, and I began to walk away, but a voice stopped me.
"Kojirou, wait.”
It was Yugito. She walked over to me as I turned to face her with the others staying close by. She pulled out a scroll and handed it to me as I looked it over.
“That is what you had earned for beating me… and I’m sorry for doing what I did.” Yugito said the last part solemnly, followed by a blush creeping its way onto her face. She didn’t act confident like she had before and instead was more shy and aloof.
“Thanks. Are you going to be alright?”
“Yes. Besides feeling sore from your attacks, when we get back, a medic will make sure I am fine. What was it that you did to save me?”
“Where I am from, it’s called CPR. It’s used when someone is not breathing or struggling to breathe. It’s something that some of my people are taught as something to use in case a proper medic is not available.”
Yugito smiled wanly, shaking her head at that before responding, "It's the first time I have ever heard of such a thing. We will have to remember that. A shinobi being alive but not breathing may not happen often, but when it does, it could make the difference between life and death. I will not forget your kindness for saving me. Will you be sticking around by any chance?”
The question caught me off guard, having not expected it as she shifted around subtly under my gaze.
“No, I can't stay around. I am on a journey and I can’t afford to stay in any one place for too long with how far I need to travel.”
As my words sank in, her expression dimmed. “Oh well… that is unfortunate but understandable. Maybe we can meet again sometime in the future. Oh, and if you would, please don’t tell anyone what you saw me do in our last clash. It’s something I would rather nobody know about besides a select few.”
Giving her a reassuring smile and nodding, knowing full well I don’t want the trouble that comes with knowing that, “My lips are sealed. It was a nice spar besides that last part. Take care of yourself, Yugito.”
As I turned to walk away, she hurriedly spoke, "Also, some advice: be careful wearing that fake headband. Plenty of people will assume you are the real one who is wearing the number one and not one of the many fakes across the world masquerading around.”
I managed to stop myself from flinching or freezing at that last part. There are people pretending to be me? A part of me felt thankful that people would be foolish to do such a thing and another grateful since that meant I had time before others came after me, going for the fakes instead.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“And thank you, Kojirou. I would like to meet you again. If you ever find yourself near the capital, I wouldn’t mind enjoying a meal with you.”
“If I am around those parts, then I will hold you to that.”
“…Are you sure you don’t want to join us?” She asked again. I could only blink at her insistence. Unlike some people I had known in the past, I wasn’t dense enough to not notice her sounding interested in me.
“Yes, I need to go my own way. But I do appreciate your offer. Till we meet again.” I said over my shoulder, waving goodbye as Yugito and the kids waved goodbye enthusiastically to me while a few of the others gave nods or just stood and watched.
Once they were out of sight along the mountain pass, I contemplated why the hell people would be impersonating me roaming around. One of the first things to come to mind is that the shinobi villages were probably trying to use it as a means to distract rival nations to keep them from getting the headband, if they even believed in it, until they could take it for themselves. Likely under the Daimyo's orders.
Now if they are aware of the reward of obtaining the number one, it is up in the air, and even more so if they believe it. My money is going to be that they see it as a means to trick other rival nations, among numerous other reasons. But the only thing I will complain about in all of this is the wanton destruction that is likely going to come from it, but hopefully this may help contain the outbreak of violence.
I doubt it, but life has a way of surprising us all. Moving along the paths across the mountains, noting how many mining towns I had encountered, is just growing and growing. Which is something I guess would explain where the land's wealth comes from. Hard to say if they are better than the Land of Stone when it comes to things of that sort.
Eventually stopping in a larger town that looked like it could be considered almost a city. The place had something that nearly everywhere else lacked -- power and electricity. It was surreal. Everywhere else, regardless of how big the town was, had no form of modern convenience. Then I see lights, street lamps, lights hanging from buildings, and even a radio on a merchant's cart hawking wares, playing some music.
I stopped there to rest and resupply, seeing the people out on the street happy or at least content as they go about their daily lives, with a few giving me looks but quickly going back to what they were originally doing. But more importantly, and I would admit privately to myself, I wanted to enjoy these simple conveniences.
Even a simple street light I never thought I would miss, but here I am looking up in awe like I just found an old friend I never thought I would see again.
I even saw some children playing out on the street as I smiled at the endless amounts of energy they showed that only a child could have. Seeing some carriages in the distance with what looked to be several armed guards around them, my eyes stared a tad bit too long at what looked like guns the guards had.
Tearing my eyes away, I headed to a large tavern, wanting to see what was available to eat and drink. Dried meat could only do so much to satiate me, and having something nice to taste would go a long way.
Stepping inside and the smell of meat being cooked along with other enticing smells made my stomach make itself known when it growled and wanted a proper meal. Knowing I had enough for a decent meal, I placed an order with the serving woman, who quickly headed to the back. It didn’t take long when my meal was placed before me. The middle-aged serving lady that wasn’t half bad-looking gave me a smile and a wink before walking off to get others' orders after I thanked her.
All kinds of people were drinking sake or other drinks, some that smelled fruity in the tavern. Enjoying a warm, juicy piece of meat that was similar to beef with some bread. The meat all but melts in my mouth as the warm juices make me sit back and smile. Tears threatened to escape my eyes at the simple yet wonderful meal.
A proper meal, maybe not the greatest or most delicious, but as it is right now, it may as well be food from the heavens. Having to eat only dried meats and whatever else I could scrounge together while keeping it on me made me rather desperate for good food.
Maybe not the most filling, but that can be corrected using the money from Senjumaru as part of the bounty and Yugito had given me as part of the bet. It was quite a bit, but with everything I needed to get, it will get cut down rather quickly.
Especially for the weapons and equipment I would need in the future since I didn’t exactly have a frame of reference for the cost of such things. Ripping the bread up and dabbing the leftover juices from the meat onto it before stuffing each piece of bread into my mouth as I ate it like a mad man.
Checking over a notice for jobs that the tavern owner had told me about when I asked out of idle curiosity about it. Not everyone could afford to contact the hidden lightning village for simple jobs that were just easier to get anyone capable or desperate enough for the job.
One such job looked like it would coincide with my current goal of getting through the Land of Lightning and maybe going for the Land of Snow?
I was still currently figuring out where I would like to go. The job was an escort mission that was paying a decent amount, and I could get a bonus for performing satisfactorily for the client. It doesn’t mention exactly who it is, simply that they are a noble. Sketchy, but then a lot of things would be in this world.
Beggars can’t be choosers and all that, and more money wouldn’t hurt to have. Also, having others surround me as we traveled together could prove useful with added numbers. After getting some directions from the tavern keeper, I find myself wandering towards a group of men outside of a building with varying weapons who all eye me. I just walked up to the building, noticing many rougher-looking men.
“What is your purpose here?” One of them asked, looking bored while looking me up and down, not impressed with my attire.
I bought some clothes to swap out my previous clothes for much simpler attire along with different footwear. One of which looked like sneakers, of all things. Nothing like modern sneakers, but more like a cobbled-together approximation of them that looked like they came from the far past.
The things were surprisingly cheap since they are not that popular compared to the sandals and flip flops people around here seem to prefer. Not something I am going to complain about if it means my feet are better protected from the elements and not having to wear sandals all the time.
The man even stared a good bit at said sneakers before I cleared my throat, getting his attention, “I am here for the job posted at the tavern?”
The man did a double take, looking incredulous at me. “You can’t be serious? We don’t need some random peasant who thinks just because he has a sword and a fake number-one headband that makes him look tough to protect our employer.”
The other one simply shook his head while looking down his nose at me. The guards, similar to the ones at those carriages, had guns. Some looked like pump-action shotguns, and others had old-school pistols. The kind that wouldn’t look out of place in ancient Japan or the revolutionary war.
“Looks can be deceiving. Last I checked, it wasn’t up to you to decide who is hired for the job. Or is it?” I asked back.
He snorted at that. “Of course it’s not me. That would be our lord who put the posting there after a particularly nasty encounter with some rogue shinobi setting us back on our journey to the capital. Several guards lost their lives or were too injured to help protect his lordship any further and are currently recuperating.”
“Okay. So then I just need to see him then and let him decide if he wants me for the job.” I countered smoothly, not intimidated by him either telling the truth or lying through his teeth. It was likely the latter just to get me to walk away.
I step forward to move inside the simple structure before they both pull out their swords, making me take a step back, one hand resting on my blade.
“You will do no such thing, and you will leave.”
Narrowing my eyes at the man as he and the other guard do the same before sighing and relaxing before starting to walk away, accepting they didn’t want me and I could just be on my way again. A small part of me hoped for some companionship from some people since the few people I had any kind of conversation with were brief and didn’t last long.
A voice cut in, making me halt in my tracks. "Danjo, enough. We can hear you from inside.” The voice sounded aged, as if they had been through much in life, like a war veteran.
Turning around to see a man looking like he was in his mid-forties with some five o'clock shadow on his face with his hair done up in a traditional samurai topknot. He opened the sliding doors to the building, staring down at the guard in question.
"Apologies, sir!” He said, bowing before the man, “But this peasant here was trying to weasel his way onto the guard detail. He would be a liability and get himself and his lordship killed if he were to join us.”
The man stared at him for a moment before turning his head to stare at me as he calmly looked me over. “Is that so? We still have space available, and I will take whoever we can by this point. Even a peasant with a weapon can be of some use. What’s your name?”
The guard choked on his spit as he remained bowed over, not even looking at the man he seemed petrified of.
“Kojirou Sasaki.”
The man gently smiled. “I am Gaman Chikara, his lordship's personal bodyguard and the one who posted the job for any who are willing and have some skill in fighting. If you pass my test, then you will be part of the group guarding the caravan.” As he said this, his hands glowed with a warm tone before one was placed on my shoulder.
The foreign energy moved through my body, and I had to fight the urge to not attack.
One would think I wouldn’t have the urge to do so out of fear, but I wished anyone luck with not lashing out against someone who used something that could just touch you and you would fall over dead… not that I knew if that was possible, but considering the weird, trippy shit this world had in it, anything was possible.
The energy I could feel ran its way through my body, washing over it like the tide of the ocean finding every crevice on the beach. It paused briefly for a fraction of a second when it encountered both my chakra and chi. He didn’t show any sign when feeling my ki when I had to keep it under control, but the other two did, especially when my chakra was split in two and chi was ready to lash out. Then the pause ended, and it continued onwards.
This goes on for a few seconds before Gaman, seeming satisfied, lets go of me, and the ki around his hand fades away. The tenseness that filled me slowly faded away. My hands were still poised to rip my sword out and go right for his head. But a deep feeling of dread filled me at the mere idea, like it would be simple at first glance but much more difficult to pull off. The man had something off-putting that put me on edge, but I could never put it into words.
It was similar to the times I rarely went to a bar and saw veterans drinking to forget, but they were quiet and solemn, never once saying a single word and completely kept to themselves. The kind you never wanted to mess with.
"Well, you are not a shinobi, nor are you under the influence of any genjutsu. Welcome aboard Kojirou. We leave in the next two days for the capital, and I would recommend you finish with anything that you need to.” With those last words, he walked off, looking over the rest of the men around the area, heading towards the less professional men compared to the ones who have similar armor and weapons.
Taking Gaman's advice to heart and heading over to the local blacksmiths, getting several swords and sealing scrolls necessary to keep them on hand should any sword I am currently using become too damaged to keep around.
Still no smith that could repair the broken blade that had become my favorite so far, nor a means to make a new one. According to the Smiths, the ones I would need to seek out would be under the Daimyo's employ.
Tons of other supplies like simple medical items or food and water. As nice as it would have been to get a sword like the one that was damaged to such an extent that the old smith himself suggested just scrapping it, I chose to keep it.
According to him, it’s made from rarer metals and uses a process that allows the weapon to have far more material packed into it, which made it so durable and strong but also heavy enough most regular people couldn’t hope to lift it, let alone use it.
Having a weapon that was easier for me to use chakra or anything else through it and it’s more efficient is a boon I was not thrilled to throw away even if the sword is damaged.
Plus, the smith was incapable of providing a replacement weapon of the same quality. Checking with several other smiths while price checking their swords, the quality of them all was same. It’s something that can usually be acquired from the capitals of each country.
That or having connections with the various military branches of the nations and knowing the right people to see about getting one. But I am afraid I am out of luck on that.
The bigger nations usually have better smiths, most samurai or warriors that are front-line fighters would dream to have a weapon made by one of the well-known smiths of those nations. Even a simple mass-produced sword that the better apprentices make to generate revenue for the master smiths is considered a treasure.
So taking what swords I could and sealing them away while taking my time and relaxing in the town as time passed by. I even took up a hobby of playing an instrument. Every now and then some people who are the lands equivalent to traveling bards let me try it out and were impressed enough to let me play in a few taverns while they took a break.
Like I am doing right now, “My shadow is the only one who walks beside me. Until then I waaaaaalk alooooone.”
Finishing off the song as the tavern erupted in applause as several patrons come and drop more money in the bowl off to the side as tips and signs of appreciation that they enjoyed the song. Setting the instrument gently to the side before getting and shaking the hand of the older man.
Something I will always be grateful for was learning how to play a guitar years ago. Even with my arm still not fully recovered, it is in a good enough condition to help me play the instrument, even if it is a little awkward with how I am forced to hold it. Even in this large town, they didn’t have someone that could instantly heal it for me.
Despite being rather rusty with the newer instrument, it is similar enough that I could make it work, and combined with my heightened dexterity, it made playing it far easier than it had any right to be.
“Kojirou, what is the name of that song?” He asked me, looking in awe.
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” I said while bending over and taking half of my earnings out of the bowl. He wanted me to go with him to other places, but I had to say no to the man. As nice as it would be, it was not a good idea in the end, and he accepted it with grace.
I went to different parts around the large town and relaxed and enjoyed myself before the time finally came to meet up with the caravan. Seeing a carriage that I can’t see into with whoever we are escorting must have been in there with many others, carrying things to the various carts.
The others were armed with either guns of varying designs ranging from close-to-modern pump-action shotguns that were the most advanced to archaic pistols and rifles. Along with all kinds of weapons, from swords to spears being the most common as the guards stand by idly.
It wasn’t long after this we were on our way moving out of the town and going along various paths on the mountains. It was something I never got to do in my old life and it was awe inspiring. The clouds amongst the mountains with the occasional eagle and various other animals going about their lives was breathtaking.
“Eyes up, newbie. You are a guard so act it.” One of the more professional guards grunted at me. I didn’t bother with responding to him while eyeing the surroundings. I was still keeping my eyes out, it’s why I was looking at the scenery in the first place instead of just staring ahead at the winding pass line he was.
The more professional guards had leather studded armor with metal armor in the more vital parts of their bodies with spears held at the ready and swords at their waists and each had one gun for themselves.
The other newly hired guards were a mismatched group but they held themselves better than a civilian would. Their weapons were more crude than the guards I was placed with. One particularly large man had a massive hammer on his back, but he was more like a fat cobra. He used size and intimidation more than he had skill or finesse.
Despite my trepidation of someone attacking me nothing happened the first couple of days. It was… boring. Not that I am against it. The time I spent when we were not moving along was used to train.
Some of the more professional guards would watch me and even a few joined me while the rest just did their own thing. Either playing cards or some form of gambling.
Even Gaman would sit back and more often or not watch me as I practiced either my swordsmanship or using my ki. Ki was different from chakra and chi with how I noticed it would grow. It was similar to chakra in that usage increased my pool I could draw from. Unlike chakra, it was much more physically inclined, and like a weight lifter that couldn’t find heavier weights to use they would instead be forced to compensate with more reps of whatever was available.
So in my case I could quickly plateau and be incapable of moving past it. It’s why I had a large rock on my back while doing push ups with the added weight. Kojirou’s physique of being a servant helped even if he wasn’t the physically strongest servant around but it also meant I needed more weight.
Several of the guards were cautious of me at first when they saw I could manipulate chakra when practicing increasing both the length and the sharpness of the chakra blade along with the other two types of energy.
After that they were standoffish towards me but seeing I wasn’t going to do anything to them and helping where I could like with getting food ready for camp they quickly began to warm up to me. I was now sitting down and enjoying myself a nice hearty stew as the last of it was slurped up by me. I let out a satisfied sigh as those around me chuckled.
“Take it easy Kojirou, it’s just goat meat and potatoes with carrots mixed in.” Hajima says off to the side smirking at me while slowly savoring his meal.
“Easy for you to say. You have your meals provided to you, I had to eat nothing but jerky meat and whatever else I could scrounge together or get from doing a few jobs here and there.”
“Ah yes. Those stories about samurai becoming ronin do have merit in the end. As much as you want to see the world and better master your craft you all forgot a crucial thing about reality. You all need to eat like the rest of us!” Tessai says across from our group with a boisterous laugh, the man is easily the biggest man I have ever seen in my life.
He is at least seven feet tall and is far from skinny. He almost could be mistaken for an Akamichi with the weight he has but despite how he looks I can see the vast muscles beneath his pudge.
“A worthy sacrifice if one wishes to be anyone of note in the world.” I said back with a smile as the man can only shake his head while chuckling.
“And I appreciate your money that I got from the winnings last night. When we get to the capital I am going to enjoy myself at the red light district.” He said with a far off look in his eyes coupled with a goofy smile
My smile became strained at what happened last night where I for the first time in my life gambled in a game of cards and instead of winning like I hoped I lost badly. I didn't lose too much money compared to what was left over after getting all of the supplies but it’s not something I want to become a habit. I still had quite a bit but that could vanish if I wasn’t careful.
The third man named Yusuke snorted at Tessai's antics, “Of course you would need to pay to get some action Tessai.”
I remained silent and indifferent, not laughing at the man's joke while Hajima laughed with Yusuke while Tessai snapped out of his daydream and narrowed his eyes at Yusuke's joke. “You're just jealous you didn’t win and I did. Now I am going to rub it in your face when we get to the capital!”
Hajima's smile lessened a degree, “That’s if we don’t have anymore troubles like we did last time.”
The mirth and fun came to a halt as the others shifted uneasyily around me. I looked around now clueless as to what Hajima was referring to. “Troubles? Is that why the client was recruiting back in town for anyone capable of at least holding a weapon?”
They all turned to look at me as I now felt like I had become a part of something that was more trouble than what it is worth. The silence stretched on becoming more awkward and uncomfortable before Yusuke broke it.
“We ran into some complications because of our lord and the situation he is currently in. Some people both in and out of the country are not pleased with him.”
“Powerful people are not happy,” I said, parroting him. I found that I don’t think I liked how tightlipped he seemed to be about this affair. Everyone else around the campsite was oblivious to the conversation we were having but the more professional guards had a subtle tension to them that was now explained. The other guards recently hired had no clue.
“What did he do to make them upset and what are we expecting to deal with on this journey?”
Hajima looked hesitant to say anything. His mouth opened only for someone to speak and cut him off. “That is enough Hajima.”
Gaman stood not far from us while I gawked at him sneaking up on us. Minds eye was constantly active and it didn’t pick him up at all. What the hell?!
The others hid their surprise better than me. “Apologies Gaman-dono.” Hajima said to him in deep respect while bowing.
Gaman, pleased, let him rise and took a seat next to me. “Kojirou, that information is not needed for you to do your job. I understand wanting to know what troubles one may come to expect on the road of life but sometimes it is best to simply accept whatever is given to oneself and do as told. You are being paid a substantial amount of money which was generous of Lord Saiteki.”
My first reaction was to call the man out on withholding what could be lifesaving information and feeling outraged that this man and his master had chosen to not tell anyone newly hired about what they would be dealing with on this journey. But I didn’t. I made myself stay calm and bite diwn any cutting remarks I could make.
Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath before letting it all out repeating the process until I had calmed down enough.
“May I ask why this information is being withheld?”
“You may.”
After a moment went by and no answer came from the man I was now getting annoyed. “Well?”
“Well what?”
Rapidly blinking my eyes lost on what is even going on now. “Why is this information being withheld?” I said with more force in my tone.
“I cannot tell you.”
The look of incredulity showed how annoyed I am. “You said I could ask why this information is being withheld, and yet you are not answering the question.”
“Yes, you can ask the question but I didn’t say I would answer it!” He held up a finger like a lecturing teacher with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
“Wh-what?”
“It was a joke to lighten the mood.” Gaman told me calmly. The others just looked at him like he just grew a second head.
“Kojirou give it time and you may find out. But let’s drop the more heavy topics and lighten the mood. I had heard that you are rather gifted when it comes to music. Know any good songs and would you be willing to play them?”
